Moi University Lecturers Flabbergasted After Receiving Half July Salary: "Enough Is Enough"

• Moi University lecturers have been paid half of their July salary despite going on the streets to demand two-month pay
• UASU secretary-general Constantine Wesonga told TUKO.co.ke that the dons will not resume until their salaries are fully paid as par the 2017-2021 CBA
• The UASU national chairperson, Grace Nyongesa, issued a warning that if similar issues are left unaddressed, other universities may also partake in the strike

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Eldoret - Lecturers at Moi University have voiced their anger and frustration over receiving only half of their July salary and have vowed to continue their strike.

The protests, led by UASU general secretary Constantine Wesonga, criticise the university's vice-chancellor for failing to address their concerns.

While speaking with TUKO.co.ke, Wesonga urged the government to handle university staff payments through the exchequer to prevent issues of ghost workers and corruption.

"We are saying enough is enough. As academic staff, we will not resume learning until the issues at Moi University are resolved. If the funding model is as effective as claimed, they should pay us our dues," he stated.

What prompted Moi University lecturers' strike?

Over 900 Moi University lecturers have been protesting in Eldoret, demanding the implementation of their 2017-2021 CBA agreement and payment of delayed salaries for two months.

"We left out all the other issues affecting Moi University and asked for the salaries of July and August. We insisted that they must be according to the 2017-2021 CBA. All 39 public universities have been paying their staff, but Moi University refused to pay their staff the right rates. We have been underpaid for the past four months," added UASU university chapter chairman, Richard Okero.

Moi University Council holds meeting to address salary issues

Additionally, they have raised concerns about over KSh 4.1 billion in pension deductions that have not been remitted.

Last week, the Moi University Council and management held a meeting with the lecturers' union to discuss and resolve the salary crisis, which had led to a go-slow of more than 3,000 employees.

Council Chairman Humphrey Njoroge stated that the meeting aimed to consult on salary delays and the implementation of the 2017-2021 CBA and that they had agreed on a path forward to address these issues.

“We called the meeting to consult with the union and we have agreed on the way forward on resolving the issues they have,” Njoroge said.

UASU national chairperson Grace Nyongesa warned that other universities might soon join the strike if similar issues are not addressed.

Teachers react after govt increased their pay

In other news, the government announced a two-month salary increase for all public school teachers after the National Treasury allocated KSh 13.5 billion to the cause.

President William Ruto assured the teachers that the amount would be reflected in their accounts by Friday, August 30.

However, some teachers expressed disappointment after the government failed to meet their expectations.

Story by Valary Akoth, TUKO.co.ke correspondent.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke